The first Lovelock Classic on a newly resurfaced track has proved a treat, with several meet records falling and a few surprising results on the day.
Taking place at the Trust Aoraki All Weather Athletics Track at Aorangi Park on the weekend, the 18th edition of the annual athletics event was a chance for many high-profile New Zealand athletes to test the new track for the first time.
Christchurch high jumper Hamish Kerr put on a strong showing as he started his preparation for the Paris Olympics this year, equalling his own previously set meet record with a jump of 2.23m which he set back in 2010.
He attempted jumps at 2.25m and 2.27m but was unsuccessful.
In the women’s high jump, Keeley O’Hagen (Christchurch) set a new meet record with a jump of 1.80m, beating the previous record of 1.69m set by LeAnne McKenzie (South Canterbury) in 2019.
Veteran athlete and Lovelock mainstay Kieran Fowler (Taieri) put on a clinic, winning the shot put with a throw of 13.08m and the discus with a 47.93m throw.
A.J. Madondo (Christ’s College) was a crowd favourite, winning the 100m with a time of 10.97sec as well as the 200m with a time of 21.84sec.
International-level athlete Portia Bing (Waitākere) was in top form, winning the women’s 100m with a time of 11.91sec and the 200m with a time of 24.79sec.
To the surprise of many, the day’s feature event, the Lovelock men’s mile, was won by rank outsider Benjamin Wall (Manawatū-Whanganui), who after a tactical start to the race, emerged from the pack to pip predicted favourites Ethan Smolej (University of Canterbury) and Angus Sevier (Port Hills) with a time of 4min 16.12sec.
Smolej came in second with a time of 4min 17.57sec followed by Sevier with a time of 4min 17.75sec.
The women’s mile was less of a battle, favourite Rebekah Greene (Hill City University) cruising to victory with a time of 4min 38.10sec, beating her previous meet record of 4min 42.46sec set last year.
Rosa Twyford (University of Canterbury) was next best with a time of 4min 44sec and Katherine Camp (Te Awamutu) rounded off the top three with a time of 4min 51.64sec.
Notably absent from the women’s mile was Timaru-based Tillie Hollyer, who had finished second last year.
She instead decided to focus on the 800m and 3000m winning both events and smashing the previous 3000m meet record by almost eight seconds with a time of 9min 25.54sec.
The previous meet record held by Kellie Palmer of 9min 33.17sec had stood since 2011.
She also put in an impressive showing in the 800m with a time of 2min 10.42sec, winning by 13 seconds over second-placed Georgia McHutchon (Taieri).
Hollyer said she went into the 3000m event with no intention of breaking the record.
‘‘My PB was 9min 31sec. On my current form and with Christmas and New Year I thought anything under that I would be happy with.
‘‘It was really cool because I also did it after the 800m, so I thought it might take a miracle for me to solo front-run it, especially after the 800 and with the wind — so definitely stoked and the record was just the icing on the cake.’’
Her goal for 2024 was hopefully to grab some national running medals, she said.
‘‘There is a lot of domestic running coming up. I’m doing most of the classics up in the North Island. I’ve got Potts Classic in Hawke’s Bay in a couple of weeks for the 800m, Cooks for the mile and the Capital Classic, which is the New Zealand 3000m finals where I hope to go faster and pick up a medal.’’
Her preferred distance was 1500m rather than 3000m but she was focused on getting quicker across all her distances, she said.
Lovelock organising committee member Linley Welford said the new track was well received.
‘‘I spoke to Felix McDonald [Taieri] in the long jump and I asked how he found the track. He said it was the best jump he’d ever done on the track. He said it was springy and really good to run and compete on.
‘‘Anyone that said anything was very supportive of the fact that it was a very good track — they were very complimentary.
‘‘It was great because it was very much a labour of love to get that new track in.’’
It was a great day for all involved, she said.
‘‘All in all there were some good fields, good performances and good athletes with something for everyone to look at.’’
